Chapter 10—Influence of Social Surroundings
I was shown, December 10, 1872, the state of Brother K’s family.
He has been a true believer and lover of the truth, but has been drinking
in the spirit of the world. Said Christ: “Where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.” Brother K, your earthly treasure claims your
interest and attention to such an extent that you do not afford time to
serve God; yet your wife is dissatisfied that you give Him the meager
pittance that you do. A worldly insanity has taken possession of her
heart. Neither of you takes sufficient time for meditation and prayer.
God is robbed of your daily service, and you yourselves are meeting
with a greater loss than that of every earthly treasure.
Sister K, you are still farther from God than your husband is.
Your conformity to the world has banished your Saviour from your
heart; there is no room for Him in your affections. You have but
little inclination for prayer and searching your heart. You are yielding
[105]
yourself to obey the prince of the powers of darkness. “To whom ye
yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.”
Sister K, you know not what you are doing; you do not realize that
you are warring against your Creator in drawing your husband away
from the truth. Your attention is on the advantages that the world gives.
You have not cultivated a love for devotion, but are better pleased with
the stir and bustle of laboring to acquire wealth. You are absorbed in
your desire to be like the world, that you may receive the happiness
that the world gives. Your earthly ambitions and interests are greater
than your desire for righteousness and for a part in the kingdom of
God.
Your precious probationary time is spent in laboring for your tem-
poral welfare, in dressing, and eating, and drinking after the manner
of the world. Oh, how unsatisfying, how meager is the recompense
obtained! In your worldly desires and pursuits you are carrying a
heavier burden than your Saviour has ever proposed to lay upon you.
Your Redeemer invites you: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are
97